AB1526-HPR AWARENESS ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS USING SUBCUTANEOUSLY ADMINISTERED BIOLOGICAL AGENTS ABOUT DRUG UTILIZATION
Authors: F. Tuncer, O. Ozdemir Isik, A. Yazici, A. Cefle
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Subcutaneous biological agents (SCBA) are commonly used in rheumatologic disorders, their storage in appropriate conditions and correct administration have importance. Informing the patient adequately and correctly is essential. Storing the drug in inappropriate conditions reduces its effectiveness, and affects the response to treatment (1). When these treatments are initiated, information on all the mentioned topics is provided to the patients, and they undergo hands-on training. Finally, the patients is requestioned in outpatient follow-up about whether a problem has occurred or not (2). Objectives This study aimed to investigate the awareness of patients using SCBA about the drug’s utilization and storage conditions. Methods Demographic data of 100 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, using SCBA who presented to our outpatient clinic between January 2021 and June 2021,were recorded, and survey questions were asked. Results One hundred patients (46 females-54 males) were included in the study. Sixty-one patients were diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 19 with psoriatic arthritis. The patients’ mean age was 44.6±11.07 years. The mean duration of SCBA use was 74.5 (2-222) months. The patients’ replies to the survey questions are summarized in Table 1. Most patients performed the injection themselves in both genders, whereas some women received help from paramedics (p=0.041). Forty percent of the patients with education level of high school or higher had a concern regarding drug use, whereas this rate was 21% in patients with education level of primary school. It was determined that the anxiety level decreased with decreasing level of education (p=0.032). Table 1. The patients’ replies to the survey questions N=100 n (%) Rate of patients who read the patient consent form before starting the drug 88 (88) Concern regarding drug use 23 (23) Malignancy 7 (7) Increase in infection 7 (7) Tuberculosis 70 (70) Not worried The person who informing patients on drug use 88 (88) Nurse 18 (18) Doctor 7 (7) Nurseanddoctor Patients who were informed about when to interrupt drug use 86 (86) Situations where drug use is suspended 84 (95,3) Flu and febril infection 68 (79,1) Use of antibiotics 39 (45,3) Herpes simplex virus infection Drug storage 65 (65) Refrigerator shelf 31 (31) Refrigerator door 4 (4) Pharmacy State of waiting before administering the drug 17 (17) Don’t wait 71 (71) 20-30 minutes at room temperature 6 (6) &gt;30 minutes at room temperature 5 (5) Hand warming and then administration 1 (1) Soak in hot water Rate of controlling the expiration date before administering the drug 64 (64) Rate of patients who control the clarity of the drug 75 (75) Rate of hand washing before administering the drug 83 (83) Injection site cleaning 6 (6) Don’t clean 66 (66) With the swab from the drug box 24 (24) With alcohol 3 (3) With a wet wipe 1 (1) With soap The person performing the injection 84 (84) The person 11 (11) Person’s relative 5 (5) Health personel The patients who carry their medication in accordance with the cold chain rules during travel 71 (100) It was observed that in patients who used multiple SCBA for a long time, taking the drug out of the refrigerator and applying it after waiting for the optimum time, controlling the expiration date of the drug and hand washing before the application decreased over time. Conclusion Evaluating the patient’s SCBA treatment background is essential for correct treatment practice. Our study revealed that in forming patients on drug use not only initially but also at certain intervals is essential. References [1]From therapeutic patient education principles to educative attitude: the perceptions of health care professionals – a pragmatic approach for defining competencies and resources. Patient Preference and Adherence 2017:11 603–617. [2]Adherence to Subcutaneous Anti-TNF Treatment in Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatism and Therapeutic Patient Education. Patient Preference and Adherence 2020:14 363–369. Disclosure of Interests None declared